The Kerala High Court has accepted the state government’s appeal challenging the acquittal of actor Dileep and three others in the 2017 actress assault case. The appeal seeks to enhance the punishment for those convicted. The case, involving Dileep and other accused, is under review by a Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar.
The state government has contested the acquittal of Dileep, along with accused Nos. 7, Charly Thomas, 9, Sanilkumar alias Mesthiri Sanil, and 15, Sarath G. Nair. Allegations suggest their involvement in the criminal conspiracy related to the abduction and assault of the actor. The High Court is also considering appeals from the convicted accused who are challenging their convictions and sentences.
Senior advocate V. Ajakumar has been appointed as the Special Public Prosecutor to represent the state in this matter. The court has requested the trial court records and scheduled a hearing after two weeks for the sentence suspension petitions filed by the convicts, including prime accused Sunil N.S. alias Pulsar Suni.
In a previous ruling, the Principal District and Sessions Court, Ernakulam, sentenced six accused to 20 years in prison but acquitted Dileep. The court found the prosecution’s failure to establish the conspiracy charge against him beyond a reasonable doubt. This verdict sparked significant discussion due to the case’s high-profile nature and the survivor’s legal battle.
The incident in February 2017 involved the alleged abduction and assault of a leading woman actor in Kerala. The case, which shook the state’s film industry and public, is now at a critical juncture with both the state and convicted accused appealing to the High Court. The appellate proceedings are expected to bring renewed focus on the evidence, investigation, and legal aspects of this closely watched criminal case.
